Retiring the Concorde

By By AUBREY COHEN

on May 30, 2013 3:08 PM

Air France retired its supersonic Concorde airliner on May 31, 2003. The other Concorde operator, British Airways, followed suit that October.

The Concorde could carry 100 passengers 4,143 miles, cruising at Mach two, and was one of just two supersonic airliners ever to enter service. Click on for a tour of the history of the Concorde and other supersonic airliner efforts. less

Air France retired its supersonic Concorde airliner on May 31, 2003. The other Concorde operator, British Airways, followed suit that October.

The Concorde could carry 100 passengers 4,143 miles, cruising at ... more

Photo: JOEL SAGET, AFP/Getty Images

Air France retired its supersonic Concorde airliner on May 31,... Photo-4709258.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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On Nov. 29, 1962, French Ambassador to the United Kingdom Geoffroy de Courcel (left) and British Minister of Aviation Julian Amery signed an agreement to develop the Concorde jointly.

On Nov. 29, 1962, French Ambassador to the United Kingdom Geoffroy de Courcel (left) and British Minister of Aviation Julian Amery signed an agreement to develop the Concorde jointly.

Photo: Central Press, Getty Images

On Nov. 29, 1962, French Ambassador to the United Kingdom Geoffroy... Photo-4709241.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Heres a model line up of the various designs suggested for the shape of Concorde. The eventual deign is at the far end of the row.

Heres a model line up of the various designs suggested for the shape of Concorde. The eventual deign is at the far end of the row.

Photo: Central Press, Getty Images

Heres a model line up of the various designs suggested for the... Photo-4709201.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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A Concorde model is tested in a wind tunnel at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, in Bedford, England, in 1962.

A Concorde model is tested in a wind tunnel at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, in Bedford, England, in 1962.

Photo: Science & Society Picture Librar, SSPL Via Getty Images

A Concorde model is tested in a wind tunnel at the Royal Aircraft... Photo-4709253.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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A wooden mockup of the Concorde is shown under construction at Filton in Bristol, England, on October 24, 1963.

A wooden mockup of the Concorde is shown under construction at Filton in Bristol, England, on October 24, 1963.

Photo: Central Press, Getty Images

A wooden mockup of the Concorde is shown under construction at... Photo-4709199.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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A team of designers examine a mockup of the interior of the Concorde, April 1964.

A team of designers examine a mockup of the interior of the Concorde, April 1964.

Photo: Chris Ware, Getty Images

A team of designers examine a mockup of the interior of the... Photo-4709233.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Concorde prototype 001 is shown under construction at the Sud Aviation factory in St Martin-Toulouse, France.

The Concorde prototype 001 is shown under construction at the Sud Aviation factory in St Martin-Toulouse, France.

Photo: J. Wilds, Getty Images

The Concorde prototype 001 is shown under construction at the Sud... Photo-4709206.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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A section of the fuselage of the Concorde is wheeled out of the hangar on a specially built rail for testing on March 6, 1966.

A section of the fuselage of the Concorde is wheeled out of the hangar on a specially built rail for testing on March 6, 1966.

Photo: Reg Lancaster, Getty Images

A section of the fuselage of the Concorde is wheeled out of the... Photo-4709236.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Queen Elizabeth II chats with businessmen in front of a model of the Concorde at the British Aircraft Corporation works in Filton, Bristol, on September 8, 1966.

Queen Elizabeth II chats with businessmen in front of a model of the Concorde at the British Aircraft Corporation works in Filton, Bristol, on September 8, 1966.

Charles de Gaulle stands in front of a life-size model of the Concorde on May 26, 1967.

Charles de Gaulle stands in front of a life-size model of the Concorde on May 26, 1967.

Photo: Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

Charles de Gaulle stands in front of a life-size model of the... Photo-4709209.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Passengers fill a full-scale model of the Concorde in the British Aircraft Corporation factory at Filton, Bristol, on February 24, 1967.

Passengers fill a full-scale model of the Concorde in the British Aircraft Corporation factory at Filton, Bristol, on February 24, 1967.

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

Passengers fill a full-scale model of the Concorde in the British... Photo-4709228.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Workers produce a giant parachute for the Concorde in the United Kingdom in 1967.

Workers produce a giant parachute for the Concorde in the United Kingdom in 1967.

Photo: KEYSTONE FRANCE, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

Workers produce a giant parachute for the Concorde in the United... Photo-4709212.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Sud Aviation chief test pilot Andre Turcat in the cockpit of a Concorde simulator in Toulouse, France, 25th May 1966. Turcat later flew the first prototype of Concorde on its maiden flight on 2nd March 1969.

Sud Aviation chief test pilot Andre Turcat in the cockpit of a Concorde simulator in Toulouse, France, 25th May 1966. Turcat later flew the first prototype of Concorde on its maiden flight on 2nd March 1969.

Meanwhile, in 1966, the U.S. government chose Boeing to build a supersonic airliner, dubbed the SST. The 318-foot-long jet was to cruise at Mach 2.7, soaring above 60,000 feet. Twenty-six airlines ordered 122 of the planes before the government cut the program in 1971. This is a mockup. less

Meanwhile, in 1966, the U.S. government chose Boeing to build a supersonic airliner, dubbed the SST. The 318-foot-long jet was to cruise at Mach 2.7, soaring above 60,000 feet. Twenty-six airlines ordered 122 ... more

Photo: P-I FILE

Meanwhile, in 1966, the U.S. government chose Boeing to build a... Photo-4451423.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Soviet Tupolev TU-144 beat the Concorde into flight, taking off for the first time on December 31, 1968.

The Soviet Tupolev TU-144 beat the Concorde into flight, taking off for the first time on December 31, 1968.

But a crash at the Paris Air Show in 1973 delayed development of the
TU-144. The crash killed the airplane's six-member crew and eight people
on the ground. The TU-144 continued to be plagued with problems and
only saw limited service. less

But a crash at the Paris Air Show in 1973 delayed development of the
TU-144. The crash killed the airplane's six-member crew and eight people
on the ground. The TU-144 continued to be plagued with problems ... more

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

But a crash at the Paris Air Show in 1973 delayed development of... Photo-2940771.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The TU-144 spent 20 years in storage before flying again in 1996 as a laboratory, doing research for NASA, a group of American aircraft manufacturers and Russian aircraft designers.

The TU-144 spent 20 years in storage before flying again in 1996 as a laboratory, doing research for NASA, a group of American aircraft manufacturers and Russian aircraft designers.

Photo: SERGEI KARPUKHIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

The TU-144 spent 20 years in storage before flying again in 1996 as... Photo-3590916.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Concorde made its maiden flight on March 2, 1969.

The Concorde made its maiden flight on March 2, 1969.

Photo: Rolls Press/Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

The Concorde made its maiden flight on March 2, 1969. Photo-4709576.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

British Airways and Air France Concordes are parked at Washington Airport on May 27, 1976, after their first flights to the U.S.

British Airways and Air France Concordes are parked at Washington Airport on May 27, 1976, after their first flights to the U.S.

Photo: KEYSTONE FRANCE, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

British Airways and Air France Concordes are parked at Washington... Photo-4709220.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Service to New York started in 1977. Here, Capt. Brian Walpole smiles from the cockpit of the first Concorde to fly from London to New York, on November 22, 1977.

Service to New York started in 1977. Here, Capt. Brian Walpole smiles from the cockpit of the first Concorde to fly from London to New York, on November 22, 1977.

Photo: Brian Alpert, Getty Images

Service to New York started in 1977. Here, Capt. Brian Walpole... Photo-4709238.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Six Concorde airliners are gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of Concorde service at Heathrow Airport, London, on September 21, 1986.

Six Concorde airliners are gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of Concorde service at Heathrow Airport, London, on September 21, 1986.

Photo: Manchester Daily Express, SSPL Via Getty Images

Six Concorde airliners are gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of... Photo-4709249.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Concorde's only fatal accident occurred on July 25, 2000, when an Air France Concorde crashed just after takeoff from Paris, killing all 109 people aboard and four on the ground.

The Concorde's only fatal accident occurred on July 25, 2000, when an Air France Concorde crashed just after takeoff from Paris, killing all 109 people aboard and four on the ground.

Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images

The Concorde's only fatal accident occurred on July 25, 2000,... Photo-4709448.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The cover of Newsweek International for the week of August 2, 2000 featured an exclusive photograph of the doomed Concorde, showing the fire on the inboard engine. Investigators concluded that a small strip of metal that had fallen off of a jet that took off minutes earlier punctured a tire of the Concorde, sending shards of rubber into the fuel tanks. less

The cover of Newsweek International for the week of August 2, 2000 featured an exclusive photograph of the doomed Concorde, showing the fire on the inboard engine. Investigators concluded that a small strip of ... more

Photo: Getty Images

The cover of Newsweek International for the week of August 2, 2000... Photo-4709223.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Concorde, fitted with new engine liners and new puncture resistant tires, resumed test flights in July 2001 and re-entered service that November.

The Concorde, fitted with new engine liners and new puncture resistant tires, resumed test flights in July 2001 and re-entered service that November.

Photo: ODD ANDERSEN, AFP/Getty Images

The Concorde, fitted with new engine liners and new puncture... Photo-4710859.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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But the post-Sept. 11 slump in air travel exacerbated ongoing economic issues with the Concordes, which had also become dated. Both British Airways and Air France announced that they would retire the jets in 2003. Here, a screen announces the last Concorde flight from Paris to New York on May 30, 2003. less

But the post-Sept. 11 slump in air travel exacerbated ongoing economic issues with the Concordes, which had also become dated. Both British Airways and Air France announced that they would retire the jets in ... more

Photo: JOEL SAGET, AFP/Getty Images

But the post-Sept. 11 slump in air travel exacerbated ongoing... Photo-4709225.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Air France Concorde flight AF 001 takes off on its final commercial flight on May 31, 2003, departing New York for Paris.

Air France Concorde flight AF 001 takes off on its final commercial flight on May 31, 2003, departing New York for Paris.

Photo: STAN HONDA, AFP/Getty Images

Air France Concorde flight AF 001 takes off on its final commercial... Photo-4709257.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The final British Airways commercial Concorde flight touched down at London Heathrow airport on October 24, 2003.

The final British Airways commercial Concorde flight touched down at London Heathrow airport on October 24, 2003.

After their retirement, Concordes were parceled out to museums around the world. A former British Airways Concorde flew into Seattle's Boeing Field on
Nov. 5, 2003, destined for the neighboring Museum of Flight. less

After their retirement, Concordes were parceled out to museums around the world. A former British Airways Concorde flew into Seattle's Boeing Field on
Nov. 5, 2003, destined for the neighboring Museum of ... more

Photo: GRANT M. HALLER

After their retirement, Concordes were parceled out to museums... Photo-1645583.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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A former Air France Concorde is lifted into position at the Technical Museum of Sinsheim, Germany on March 17, 2004.

A former Air France Concorde is lifted into position at the Technical Museum of Sinsheim, Germany on March 17, 2004.

Photo: MICHAEL LATZ, AFP/Getty Images

A former Air France Concorde is lifted into position at the... Photo-4709235.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The final decommissioned Concorde traveled down a specially built road in April 2004 to the National Museum of Flight Scotland, in Edinburgh.

The final decommissioned Concorde traveled down a specially built road in April 2004 to the National Museum of Flight Scotland, in Edinburgh.

Photo: Christopher Furlong, Getty Images

The final decommissioned Concorde traveled down a specially built... Photo-4709244.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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A Concorde at the Blagnac, France, airport, is set to be restored for display at the future Aeroscopia museum.

A Concorde at the Blagnac, France, airport, is set to be restored for display at the future Aeroscopia museum.

Photo: Aerospatiale/Aeroscopia

A Concorde at the Blagnac, France, airport, is set to be restored... Photo-3209628.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The tail of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia site at Blagnac airport, France, on July 18, 2012.

The tail of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia site at Blagnac airport, France, on July 18, 2012.

Photo: ERIC CABANIS, AFP/Getty Images

The tail of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia... Photo-3209653.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Engines of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia site at Blagnac airport, France, on July 18, 2012.

Engines of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia site at Blagnac airport, France, on July 18, 2012.

Photo: Aerospatiale/Aeroscopia

Engines of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia... Photo-3209627.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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The flight deck of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia site at Blagnac airport, France, on July 18, 2012.

The flight deck of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the Aeroscopia site at Blagnac airport, France, on July 18, 2012.

Photo: Aerospatiale/Aeroscopia

The flight deck of a former Air France Concorde is shown at the... Photo-3209629.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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A former British Airways Concorde at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, in New York, got a new neighbor on June 6, 2012, when the atmospheric test space shuttle Enterprise arrived.

A former British Airways Concorde at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, in New York, got a new neighbor on June 6, 2012, when the atmospheric test space shuttle Enterprise arrived.

Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images

A former British Airways Concorde at the Intrepid Sea, Air and... Photo-3210930.63554 - San Antonio Express-News

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Seattle's Museum of Flight, meanwhile, added the front sections of the Boeing SST mockup. Here, the nose section arrives on April 12, 2013, at the museum's Restoration Center in Everett.

Seattle's Museum of Flight, meanwhile, added the front sections of the Boeing SST mockup. Here, the nose section arrives on April 12, 2013, at the museum's Restoration Center in Everett.